Paul Dykes sentenced to two life sentences for child rape and molestation convictions

Dykes' co-defendent, Erin Vickers, was previously also sentenced to two life sentences.

Paul Dykes, a 21-year-old convicted in December of 24 child sex crimes including rape of a child, working in concert with a co-defendent to rape a child, and possession of child pornography, has been sentenced to two concurrent terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Dykes was arrested when he was 18 alongside co-defendent Erin Vickers, now 23, who was at the time 20. Vickers was convicted in September of capital sexual battery and promoting sexual performance by a child, and has already been sentenced to two life sentences.

“No sentence can erase what happened to our child victim in this case, but the double life sentence imposed by the judge will hold this defendant accountable for his crimes,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said following the sentence, according to a news release from the State Attorney's Office.

Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis and Assistant State Attorney Joseph LeDonne prosecuted the case, which was presided over by Circuit Judge Dennis Craig.